Octane Results:
Leadership

Just because you know you want to go into business—just because you know you want to make it big in business—doesn’t mean you need to be all business all the time. Many aspiring leaders eat, breathe and sleep business 24/7; they watch all the business-related TED talks, read all the business-related books, go to any business-related conference and follow every business-related blog.

However, focusing so intently on one aspect of your life is one way to ensure you develop career burnout. Plus, it doesn’t provide the well-rounded knowledge and skills that leaders need to make informed decisions, motivate their staff, recognize market trends and more. So, while you study appropriate subjects in one of several business-related online masters programs, consider giving your business skills a rest and reading some of the following non-business, but beneficial-for-business-leaders, books. (more…)

When Wonder podcast host Kalika Yap sat down to speak with entrepreneur and startup studio founder Mike Jones, he shared his passion for helping others and how the value of learning from others has taken time to appreciate.

First, the basics: What was the episode about?

Mike Jones shares his entrepreneurial journey that emanates from childhood in fundraising and sales, running a nationally-distributed magazine in high school and eventually setting up a consulting firm in college that was sold. Through the episode we gain insight into how he went back into full time employment and the knowledge that later impacted his current organization, Science. We learn about the importance of access to mentorship, and the mindset of successful entrepreneurs. (more…)

I remember it as if it happened yesterday. I received a message from a friend about a global entrepreneurs’ organization coming to the city of São Paulo. She invited me to meet the group, and let me know it was looking for entrepreneurs just like me.

It was a cold winter evening when I went to learn more about the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). That night I read a description of the organization that I would eventually quote again. An article on Forbes introduces EO like this:

EO is basically the Justice League of the entrepreneurial world. This group has it all – not only do they offer forums and personal advice on a national scale, the organization also sponsors local chapters with their own meetings and amenities. There are even great healthcare options for members. On top of that, there are personal mentorship opportunities and huge networking events. It’s the ultimate toolbox for entrepreneurs.

When I read that EO is considered the “ultimate toolbox for entrepreneurs,” I instantly imagined a journey of discovery and adventure. In my head, I created an analogy of a passing train. Either I would board this train and join the organization, becoming a founding member in Brazil, or I would (more…)

My hobby is car collecting. I track down vintage, historically relevant European and mid-century automobiles. Although that might seem as far away from heading an insurance agency as Pluto is from the sun, it’s not. In fact, being a collector has taught me negotiating skills that I might not have otherwise learned in my day job.

You don’t simply wake up in the morning, decide to purchase a historic car, and have it in your driveway by the evening. It took 15 years for me to fill out and refine my collection, which now includes the 1962 Lincoln Continental “Bubbletop” limousine used by President John F. Kennedy and an award-winning 1948 Delahaye 135 M Faget-Varnet Cabriolet. (more…)

The episode touched on the life, career and current path of Mike Koenigs—a 13-time best-selling author, serial entrepreneur, media professional and cancer survivor. In many ways, his story and his insights—which I heard on the podcast for the very first time—resonated with me on both a personal and professional level.

Entrepreneurship is hard. Being present and available in my businesses on a daily basis and juggling the competing needs of my companies as well as my commitments to my community, my local networks and my family is a daily struggle.